South Texas Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pickled Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Tender smoked pulled pork slow-cooked with a dry rub and served on toasted buns with tangy quick pickled red onions. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup water
• 8 hamburger buns
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to create a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder thoroughly with the dry rub, covering all sides. Wrap tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 275°F. Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan covered with foil and cook for 5-6 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
4. Step 4: While pork cooks, prepare quick pickled onions by heating 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1 tbsp salt in a saucepan until salt dissolves. Place 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar and pour hot vinegar mixture over it. Let sit at least 30 minutes.
5. Step 5: Remove pork from oven, shred with two forks, and mix with 1/4 cup yellow mustard for moisture and flavor.
6. Step 6: Toast 8 hamburger buns in a skillet over medium heat until golden and warm.
7. Step 7: Assemble sandwiches by piling pulled pork onto buns and topping with pickled red onions. Serve immediately.